What is the preferred method for maintaining hand hygiene in the hospital?

The preferred method for maintaining hand hygiene in the hospital is washing hands with soap and water or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. This approach is supported by guidelines from health organizations, emphasizing that both techniques are effective in reducing the presence of germs and pathogens on hands.

Using soap and water is particularly effective when hands are visibly dirty or after specific activities, such as using the restroom or handling food. The mechanical action of scrubbing with soap helps to dislodge dirt and microorganisms, which are then rinsed away. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers are a convenient alternative when soap and water are not available, and they can quickly reduce the number of germs on hands. The key is that the sanitizer must contain at least 60% alcohol to be effective.

Other methods, such as solely relying on antibacterial lotion or rinsing hands with plain water, do not ensure effective germ removal. Antibacterial lotions may not have the broad-spectrum effectiveness needed for healthcare environments, while plain water is inadequate for cleaning hands, as it does not remove contaminants. Therefore, the dual approach of using soap and water or alcohol-based hand sanitizers remains the best practice for hand hygiene in hospitals.